Creamy Mushroom Cavatappi

By sherryl61

Great easy pasta dish with lots of flavor. Add a green salad LIGHTLY dressed with balsamic vinaigrette and you are set! (BTW, vinaigrette is just 1 part balsamic, 2 part olive oil, salt, pepper, crushed garlic. Make it fresh!)

Ingredients

• ingredients
• Salt
• 12 ounces cavatappi (corkscrew-shaped tube pasta;can substitue penne)
• 2 teaspoons olive oil
• 1 small onion, chopped (4 to 6 ounces)
• One 8-ounce package sliced cremini mushrooms
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 1 1/2 cups 1-percent milk
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan, plus additional for serving
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• One 10-ounce package frozen peas
• 8 ounces deli-sliced ham, cut into 1/2-inch-wide strips

Preparation

Step 1

Directions

Bring a large covered saucepot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions.

Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a 12-inch skillet over medium heat. Add the onions and cook until beginning to soften, about 3 minutes. Increase the heat to medium-high and stir in the mushrooms. Cook, stirring frequently, until the mushrooms are golden and most of the liquid has evaporated, 8 to 10 minutes. Transfer the mushroom mixture to a small bowl.

In a 2-cup liquid measuring cup, whisk the cornstarch into the milk. Add to the same skillet and heat to boiling over medium heat, whisking frequently. Boil 1 minute, stirring constantly to prevent scorching. Remove the skillet from the heat and whisk in the Parmesan, 1/4 teaspoon salt and the pepper.

Place the peas in a colander. Pour the pasta over the peas. Drain and return to the saucepot. Stir in the mushroom mixture, cheese sauce and ham; toss to coat. Serve with freshly grated Parmesan.

Each 1 1/2 cup serving: about 400 calories, 23 g protein, 57 g carbohydrate, 8 g total fat (3 g saturated), 28 mg cholesterol, 880 mg sodium, 5 g fiber